Wednesday, July 18, 2012

I Just Got a Teaching Job... Now What?!- Touring Your New School

I'm a coordinator of a high school biology camp this summer. Basically, my boss and one other girl run it with me- and both of them needed to be gone for the first two days of this session. The first day was yesterday, and I was really nervous that I'd forget something, or that it wouldn't go well.

What actually happened? For the first 3 days, we finished everything on the schedule and more in the alotted time. We were actually supposed to come back in the evening, too, and didn't have to either of the 1st 2 days because we got it all done early.

I have been somewhat stressed about work this summer and feeling a little squeezed out... made me feel good that I can still run the program- and better than it's been running all summer!

Glad to get time for blogging tonight, though! Continuing with...

Thanks for your positive feedback, guys- part of why I started blogging is because I felt like I was *lost* getting my first classroom ready!

Before you go in to school...

See if you can find a Parent Handbook on the school's website. If this isn't on the website, ask about one when you visit the school. (Some may have a teacher handbook, which is even better- but most schools have a parent handbook and it will answer a lot of your questions!)

Pull up the school calendar and mark those dates down now.

Look at the supply list. What will kids be coming to school with? (Hopefully!)

Look for information about the curriculum and programs they use, under links for teachers, links for parents, book information, etc. Even if you're like me and you don't get curriculum until August or later, if you know your reading and math series, you can probably find out more about it online before the year starts!

Your first visit to the school...

Hopefully, not too long after being hired, you'll get a chance to get a tour of your school, even if you can't start setting up your room yet. My principal gave a tour to all the new hires last year, but you could also just as easily walk around with another teacher and let them give you a tour!

The best thing about a school tour is that just walking by things will remind the other person of important things to tell you. There are a million questions you could ask, but here are some things to consider asking during the tour.

Staff bathrooms

'Nuff said.

Student bathrooms

While no kids are there, might not be a bad idea to walk in and look around so you know what to talk about when you teach bathroom procedures.

Will my kids need hall passes?

Staff lounge

What are the 'rules' of the fridge, etc.?

Is there a social committee? Are there dues?

What's the local union/ association? Do I have to join? Even if I don't "have" to, is it generally recommended? Will other teachers pressure me to to do it?

(Joining a union- totally your choice. It can be costly, but nice to have the liability insurance and support in case of a problem. You also may or may not agree with how they publicly and politically defend teachers. Regardless of whether you want to- in some schools, it is expected that you will join, and you might be treated badly by other teachers if you don't join- so just ask what the staff climate is like before you decline membership. For your first year especially, sometimes it's best not to rock the boat.)

Mailboxes

Where are they? (Usually staff lounge or main office.)

Check if your box is the one above or below your name. (Sounds silly, but I know someone who kept stealing someone else's mail by mistake the first week. Oops.)

Main Office

Meet the secretaries. Go ahead and begin worshiping. These people will save your life more than once.

Are there supplies in here I can use? Which ones?

Are there forms in here I will need to use? Where are they?

Where can I leave a note or form for the principal?

What other administrative people are there and what are their responsibilities?

Teacher Supply Room/ Copy Room

What do I do if a copier jams?

Are there any rules for copies/ laminating- when/ how much?

Do I have a copy code?

Are there copy room volunteers, or can I have parents copy for me?

Are there specific guidelines to follow for any of the copiers? (Most places I've been, a Rizzo is only used when you are making 20 or more copies.)

Will I need to bring my own paper?

What other supplies are in here for me? (Look out for big guillotine cutters, die-cut machines, those binding machines, etc.)

IT Center, Tech Person's Office, and/or Computer Lab

This won't always be something you have. In my current school, we have a tech guy. In my last school, one of the teachers was our "tech rep" on the side. Either way, ask...

Do I need to send students to the nurse for ANYTHING, or can I just give them a band-aid in the room if it's very minor? (Some schools like to have students actually go to the nurse for every tiny thing. A little annoying, but it's a little better legally, I guess.)

Custodian's Office/ Closet/ Maintenance Center

Who's in charge?

Who will clean up my room?

How can I start kissing up I mean, get in touch with them?

When will I get keys to my room/ building? (If you do- in my
school, we get an ID card that works as a key in the building, but not
every school allows access.)

Your Classroom

How many other teachers are there at my grade level? Are we close to each other?

How much do the teachers in my grade level work together, especially to plan?

Keep in mind that these are not at all everything you need to know- just a starting point for the first school tour! When my principal gave a tour, she actually covered a lot of this before I even had to ask.

Don't worry- you'll find out a lot more as you go along. But on your school tour, smile a lot, sound enthusiastic, and don't be afraid to ask questions as they come up. The closer it is to the school year, the busier your administrators will become- so ask early instead of bugging them later!

2. I got to try out an iPad last Spring, and nearly cried when I had to give it back. Well, our school applied for a monster technology grant, and got it- and I just found out I can go in to school and pick up my classroom iPad on Thursday! WOOHOO! App suggestions welcome :)

3. Getting out early last night meant that I got to go shopping, and I found some GREAT things to send along with a hat for Kenton. I have a few other friends joining in, but if you haven't yet, it's not too late to sign up and help brighten the day of a little boy with leukemia (and his family!)

I love these posts! Since I started at my current school in the middle of March, I never got a chance to do all of these important things. And even though I am returning to the same school and classroom this fall, these are all great things to keep in mind! Thanks =)

I have been teaching for 18 years and I never would have expected to need a list like this. However, I was so burnt out that I decided I needed a change, so I am moving from middle school to elementary school and your post makes me think about all the little things I need to ask!

I am new to this blogging thing, so I would love it you could check out my new blog and let me know what you think!

Hi, I'm Jenny. I am an elementary reading specialist who's also taught 2nd and 3rd grades. I am passionate about helping struggling kids grow and discover their love of reading, and I especially enjoy integrating science and social studies into literacy learning. I blog about my classroom so that I can share some of my ideas, especially with new teachers, and learn from other teachers too! I would love to hear from you!